Anthony Joshua will return to boxing on July 25th in a comeback fight in Saudi Arabia.
The former unified world champion will face Christian Prengga in Riyadh this summer.
This will be Joshua’s first contest since returning to training after two of his close friends were killed in a car accident in Nigeria in December.
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Eddie Hearn gives an update on Anthony Joshua’s fight plans as talks with Tyson Fury progress.
With the official announcement of AJ’s return fight, promoters Turki Arashik and Eddie Hearn confirmed that Joshua will finally fight his great rival Tyson Fury later this year.
“It’s no secret that I’ve taken time to strengthen and rebuild to be ready to return to the ring, and today is the next step in that journey. I’m delighted to have agreed to a multi-fight deal starting July 25 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” Joshua said.
“I’m looking forward to playing the game and picking up where we left off. Like I said, the landlord will collect the rent, that’s for sure.”
Joshua Fury “signed, sealed and delivered,” Hearn says
Saudi boxing chief Turki Alarusik posted on social media on Monday: “To our friends in the UK: It’s happening, it’s signed,” already fueling speculation that a fight between Joshua and Fury had been agreed.
Hearn echoed Arashik’s sentiments in an Instagram post shortly afterward, claiming the documents were “signed, sealed and delivered! AJ vs. Fury has begun!”
Ring Magazine also confirmed the match was a “done deal” with X, claiming the bout would take place in the “fourth quarter” of 2026.
Joshua had an existing contract for the fight with Fury, but Fury had confirmed he had signed his side of the paperwork following his recent victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov.
“He’s signed. He signed a few months ago. I don’t know if he’s signed or not,” Fury said after the match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
However, Hearn’s announcement seems to confirm that all parties have agreed that the fight will officially take place.
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Tyson Fury grabbed a microphone and loudly challenged him to fight Anthony Joshua next, but his rival didn’t give him a clear answer.
Hearn previously told Sky Sports: “The two dates that are currently being offered to us are July and November and we are hopeful that we can move forward.
“Fury just had a very important 12-round tune-up to sharpen up for his next fight and we expect the same.”
Joshua finally accepts Fury’s challenge
After Fury outclassed Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, he directly called on Joshua to fight him next.
“I want you, AJ, Anthony Joshua. Let’s give the fight fans what they want, the Battle of Britain. I want Anthony Joshua to fight me and the Gypsy King next,” Fury declared.
“Do you accept my challenge?”
Joshua replied, “I have been following you for the past ten years. When you are ready, come and see me and tell me your terms.
“I’m the boss and you work for me. I’m the landlord and you work for me.”
Whether or not Joshua wins against Prengga, he will fight Fury in an era-defining bout that will undoubtedly be one of the biggest fights in British boxing history.
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‘AJ will beat Fury!’ | Usyk says he ‘helped’ Joshua at camp
Who is Christian Prengga and what is his record?
Christian Prengga of Albania is based in the United States and has a good record of 20 wins and 1 loss.
All of his professional victories are within reach.
His only loss on his record was early in his career against Giovanni Auriemma (1-2 at the time) in 2017.
“Anthony Joshua is a great fighter, but choosing me as his opponent was a terrible miscalculation. This is a fight that will change everything for me and his life,” Prengga said.
“I know they have big plans after this fight. I know they are ignoring me and I am happy about that. I will derail their plans and shock the world in Saudi Arabia this July.”
“I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but Christian Prenga is probably the most Googled athlete in the last hour, because on the surface he’s not the most famous heavyweight,” says Sky Sports boxing expert Andy Scott.
“But no one is pretending that this is anything other than Anthony Joshua’s test-the-water comeback fight, because he was involved in a horrific car accident that claimed the lives of two of his great friends, Sheena (Gahmi) and Latz (Adyer). These two were close friends.”
“He has experienced physical trauma from a car accident. He has to go back to camp, but he has already done so and is working on it slowly.”
“This will be a test to see how he fares in training camp, hard sparring and the pressure of a big fight week.
“In Saudi Arabia, it will be a more low-key return for Joshua. It’s a fight they set up to beat him.”
